usetobe

Are remote shutter releases generic. Will they work on any camera or are they model specific?

JimH Loc: Western South Jersey, USA

They're semi brand/model specific, since they plug into a port on the side of your camera. Just search AMAZON for "Remote shutter Canon XTI" or whatever your model is. You should be able to find one for about 10 or 12 bucks, total. Nothing fancy.

Sample

skidooman Loc: Minnesota

Like anything else, you can run the gammut with remote triggers from cheap to expensive. All camera manufacturers have theirs, and there are plenty of off brand kinds. You'll get what you pay for generally. Ask yourself, what are you going to use it for. Is a cable ok? Wireless,,if so,,is distance an issue?? Intervelometer maybe for timelapse and other applications?? If all you are looking for is something basic,,,JimH is right on.

photocat Loc: Atlanta, Ga

there are basically two types, IR which means you must be in front of the camera to use, or a wireless, which allows one to be behind or even 100's of feet away.

The price is quite different for each.

altonsullivent Loc: Maryville Tennessee

I have the 3 pin canon I originally bought for the 20D and it worked flawlessly then, and works flawlessly now with my 20D. If you want a wired remote then the Canon one will be hard to beat.

I recently bought the wireless Hahnel for remote wildlife and events. It works great so far and has many other added features that might be useful. It has 2 cables with different plugs so it will fit all Canon models. So if you go that route, it will be compatible with future buys.

http://www.hahnel.ie/index.cfm?page=dslrremotecontrols&id=80&pId=80

It does everything it claims. It cost more, but after my prior Vello experience (below), I felt better about paying more and getting more.

I also bought a Vello and had read the claims that the plug did not fit well. Well sure enough, mine did not fit at all. But it (Vivitar same animal) still seems to be good bang for the buck when the plug fits. I have other Vello equipment that I like.

photocat Loc: Atlanta, Ga

I use the Hahnel with my D700 and am very happy with the ease of use. I do leave the "pigtail" attact to the body of the camera, as I have large hands and the area for attaching and removing is small. THis has not been a problem and franky I rarely notice it is there.

lbigley Loc: Eugene, OR

I bought the generic "Optica" IR remote for about $7 from Amazon for my Nikon D5100, and it works PERFECTLY. And, the D5100 has IR sensors on both sides of the camera, so you can use it from any angle, at least on this camera. The thing I like most about it, is it allows me to do "Bulb" setting photography. Click it once, and shutter opens. Click it a second time, and it closes. Great for light painting, or star trails (though I haven't tried that yet), or nightscapes. Now that I have the remote, I feel that there is no limit to what I can do.